A service of thanksgiving for the life and ministry of William D. “Bill” Watson, 59, of Demorest, will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, at Level Grove Baptist Church in Cornelia, with the Rev. Brian James, the Rev. Lee Hill and Dr. Tom Mewborn officiating. Mr. Watson died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013, following complications from a major stoke in October 2011. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Dr. and Mrs. W.T. Watson and Mr. and Mrs. D.W. Larkins. Born Jan. 1, 1954, he was one of the first New Year’s babies at Habersham County Hospital. Mr. Watson attended North Habersham High School before graduating from Habersham Central High School in 1972. He attended Georgia Southern University, Columbus State University and Trinity College of Florida. He will always be remembered for his great voice and work with young people. He served as youth and music director at Clarkesville Baptist Church, Maysville Baptist Church and Carnes Creek Baptist Church. He also worked for many years with The Northeast Georgian newspaper in Cornelia. He also will be remembered for his work with Alzheimer’s patients. He worked with assisted living homes in Gainesville and Buford and most recently served as activities director at The Oaks at Scenic View. While Bill never had a family of his own, he always considered the youth and choir members of the churches in which he ministered and the senior adults of the assisted living facilities he served as his extended family. He is survived by his parents, the Rev. and Mrs. R.W. “Bob” Sr. and Peggy Watson; a brother and sister-in-law Robert W. “Bobby” Jr. and Susan Watson; a sister and brother-in-law Dr. Lynda and Barry Barron; three nieces, one nephew and two great-nieces. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 15, at Whitfield Funeral Home, North Chapel, Demorest. Memorials may be made to the music program of Level Grove Baptist Church in Cornelia. Online condolences may be offered at whitfieldfuneralhomes.com. The Northeast Georgian February 15, 2013